EM Bureau
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 7
A winner’s voice is instantly recognizable. It has a different ring to it.
And so it was with the DAN consensus NPF candidate CM Chang, winner of the Noksen Assembly by elections. He did not disappoint his supporters.Eastern Mirror caught up with the man of the day over a crackling telephone line in Noksen. Chang won with a comfortable margin of 2863 votes with a total vote of 5708 votes over his Congress rival Lima Onen who polled a total of 2845 votes.
Chang contesting the assembly elections for the second time said he had expected a larger margin of difference, of over 3000 votes.
Nevertheless, his satisfaction rested on the fact that critics were proved wrong that ‘a one man, one vote’ could never be realized. The Noksen by-elections Chang stated had achieved this. He said each person cast his/her own vote and this was the big victory.
On the margin of victory being less than what he had expected the winning candidate attributed this shortfall to those voters who still thought him to be a sitting MLA and did not turn up at the booths.
70% of the 12074 electorate turned up to cast their votes where the Voter Verification Paper Audit Trail made its debut in the country.
While celebrations may be in order for the day, the NPF will now have to train their thoughts on who will replace CM Chang who is also Lok Sabha MP.
The party will have a fortnight from the date of notification of the results from the EC to deicide since Chang, the incumbent MP, must resign his chair.
CM Chang cited his desire is to be close to the people of the constituency and of the state. It has never been clear why then, when he had the opportunity to do this as Minister Education after winning the elections in February this year, he opted to resign as MLA and retain his Lok Sabha seat and then again seeking to be re elected and this time give up the chair of Lok Sabha MP and retain his MLA status.
Now that he is likely to continue as Minister for Education, there is hardly a day that he can delay with the storms brewing in the field of education.
The portfolio that had been practically been ineffective due to CM Chang’s resignation as MLA soon after taking oath as Minister for Education.
NPF candidate re-elected
EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 7
NAGALAND People’s Front candidate CM Chang was declared winner of the Noksen Assembly bye-election held on September 4. The results of the bye-election were declared on Saturday
Chang won by a margin of 2863 votes defeating his only rival Congress candidate Lima Onen. Chang polled 5662 votes plus 46 postal ballot papers totalling 5708 votes while Lima Onen polled 2831 votes plus 14 postal ballots totalling 2845 votes.
Total votes cast were 8493 and total postal ballot papers received were 60.
Election Commission bodies commended for peaceful conduct of polls
In a press communiqué from the office of the Chief Minister and the State government a line of congratulations has gone the way of the Election Commission of India and the State election machinery for conducting free, fair and peaceful elections in the bye elections to the 51 Noksen assembly constituency. The statement adds that the State government also extends its appreciation to the people, the civil societies and the mass based organisations for extending cooperation, ensuring conduct of successful elections.
The release has also appreciated the role of the electorate of 51 Noksen A/C for reposing faith in the NPF-led DAN Government’s official candidate CM Chang who has won the by-elections with a bigger margin of victory, which has further strengthened the resolve of the DAN to work tirelessly for the people of Nagaland.
Janata Dal (United), Nagaland has expressed its heartiest congratulations to CM Chang for his victory by winning over two thousand and above votes in its recently concluded by-election of 51 Noksen Assembly constituency.
Further, in a release the JD(U) expressed its happiness to the electorate of 51 Noksen Assembly constituency for electing CM Chang to represent them as their leader and for having faith in the DAN Government under the dynamic and capable leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Dr. Shurozelie Leizetsu, Chairman, Democratic Alliances of Nagaland.
JD (U) Nagaland also thanked the DAN campaign convener Kuzholezo Neinu and its team members for working tirelessly for the success of CM Chang. Further, JD (U) Nagaland justified the people of Nagaland for having faith in DAN government as pro people’s government.
